Elizabeth Taylor left this world in the same way she lived in it: glamorously and behind schedule. Her final request was to arrive 15 minutes late for the small private service. But that wasn't the only part of her funeral that had people buzzing. Colin Farrell also took part in the laying to rest of the Hollywood legend, and his presence left many wondering about their connection.

According to E! Online, the Irish actor was a "close friend" of Elizabeth's, and she gushed about his talents during a Harper's Bazaar chat earlier this year with Kim Kardashian.

Last year, rumors began percolating that Farrell was the front-runner to play Liz's two-time ex-husband Richard Burton in a movie chronicling their epically tempestuous romance. Taylor, however, denied such a film was in the works, insisting, "No one is going to play Elizabeth Taylor but Elizabeth Taylor herself. Not at least until I'm dead."

At the service, Farrell didn't just pay his respects to the violet-eyed, altruistic icon, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 79. He also read a poem, "The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo," by Gerard Manley Hopkins.

As a way of remembering Elizabeth, and of expanding our literary knowledge on a Friday that would otherwise be spent watching "South Park" reruns, we thought we'd share the lovely ode, in its entirety.

When you're done reading, be sure to click through this gallery of Taylor through the years, and read the 25 things you might not have known about her. It will only drive home how dearly she will be missed.

THE LEADEN ECHO

How to keep--is there any any, is there none such, nowhere known some, bow or brooch or braid or brace, lace, latch or catch or key to keep

Back beauty, keep it, beauty, beauty, beauty, … from vanishing away?

O is there no frowning of these wrinkles, ranked wrinkles deep,

Down? no waving off of these most mournful messengers, still messengers, sad and stealing messengers of grey?